Toy typewriter



Jan. 2, 1951 s. l. BERGER TOY TYPEWRITER Filed Feb. 27, 194'? 2 Sheets-Sheet l Jani? 2, 1951 2,536,715

s. l. BERGER TOY TYPEWRITER Filed Feb. 27, 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEYS 4 Patented Jan. 2, 1951 UNITED STATES arniTlzlv'i oFFicE 2,536,715 v'roy 'rYPEvvRrrERv vSamuel I. Berger, Newark, N. J. Application February 27, 1947, Serial No. 731,318

issued as Patent No. 2,486,702, dated November 1, 1949, and Serial No. 724,043, filed January 24,

194'? and since issued as Patent No. 2,458,137,

dated January 4, 1949, and my previous issued Patent No. 2,398,765, dated April 23, 1945, including the use substantially solely of sheet metal l'and rod stock to genuine portable simulatethe appearance of a typewriter by a greatly simplied construction.

In the accompanying drawings in which is shown one of various possible embodiments of the several features of the invention,

, Fig. 1 is a plan view of a toy typewriter according tothe present invention, showing its general appearance with the simulated keyboard arid associated structure in place thereon,

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view thereof taken along line 2-2 of Fig. l,

Fig. 3 is a View similar to Fig. 2, with the key lever depressed, showing the type wheel in typing position, and

Fig. 4 is a sectional detail view of the platen structure on a larger scale taken along line 4--4 of Fig. 1.

Since the construction in its general outline follows closely that of the applications and patent above identified, only so much of the construction has been shown as is needed to afford a clear understanding of the present improvements, and the general description will be correspondingly brief.

Referring now to the drawings, as shown in Fig. 1, the toy typewriter simulates the appearance of a modern portable typewriter presenting as it does a base having a simulated standard'keyboard I2 thereon. This keyboard may be directly printed on the platform I5 or printed on a rectangular sheet metal'plate which is affixed to the surface of the platform. A standard at the center of the base supports theoperating mechanism of the device and a platen structure `I4 is mounted on the base to the rear of the standard. l y

Base `|I comprises a rectangular platform I5 having a downwardly turned skirt I6 on the periphery thereof. Aiilxed'to the rear of the platform I5 at each corner thereof and depending therefrom is a supporting leg comprising a U-shaped strip of sheet metal, presenting a cross piecev l1 and'upstanding sidewalls I1. The up- Pr 'edges 0I sidewalls I1" are beveled as at I8l 9 Claims. (Cl. 197-47) and are connected by tines (not shown) with theV platform I5 to support the latter obliquely, as shown. 1

A key lever 25 is pivoted on an axle 26, the latterv being journalled in side walls 20 rising from the lateral edges of a rectangular bracket i3 affixed to the platform by means of down-v wardly Vturned tines 23 integral with each c orner of the` bracket and which pass through the platform. Each of, thearms 21 ofthe key lever 25 is pivoted to a link 28, the upper end of said link being pivoted by means of an axle 29 tothe obliquely extending arms 30 of a substantially U-shaped sheet metal carriage 3|. The end of each of vsaid oblique arms 30 is pivoted as at 32 to upstanding ears 2| rising from the rear end of each side of the bracket I3. Y

Depending from carriage 3| is a U-shaped bracket 33, the arms of the bracket being aixed to the carriage as at 34. A type wheel 35 having on its periphery the type heads comprising the sequence of letters and numerals, is affixed on Va substantially upright axle 36 journalled in bearingopenings 31 and 38 in bracket 33 and carriage 3|, respectively, and protruding therefrom, the axle inposition of rest being at substantially right angles. to` platform I5.

The typewheel 3 5 is adjustable to a selectedV setting by means of a rotatable c up shaped dial 39 Whichbears the sequence of letters and nu-z merals on its upper Surface. Dial 35 has a hub.

48 unitary therewith on its undersurface and it;

is affixed tothe upper end of axle 35 protruding from carriage 3| by means of a set screw 4| ini; y

said hub, a notch 42 on the -periphery of said dial affording convenient access to said set screw. Dial 39 preferably has a knob 45 unitary therewith on the surface thereof, the peripheries of said dial and said knob being serrated as at .46.'

to facilitate gripping thereof. AV coil spring 43. surrounding said axle 38 between the type wheel and the carriage serves to take up any looseness i 35 by a set screw 49 is preferably provided tostep the type wheel around in effective setting thereof by the turning of dial knob 45. As this 'Y mechanism has been fully described in my aboveV identified applications and patent, it will not be f more fully described herein. A pointer 41 which is lstruck out frOmTcarriage 3| is positioned so as to be near the periphery of said dial 39v to indicate the selected setting thereof.

For applying ink to the type head, an ink retaining absorbent roller 5|) which is itself conventional is preferably provided. This roller ls mounted on a bail 5| integral with and extending outward from the midsection of the cross arms of a substantially U-shaped bracket 52, the arms 53 and 54 of which are pivoted to carriage 3|, preferably by means of hollow rivets, as at .55.

Arm 54 is extended as at 56 and'is connected by pitman 51 to side wall 20 of bracket I3 forY the purpose hereinafter described.

The escapement structure is quite similar-stof.

that of my above identied issued patent and need therefore be but briefly described. escapement box 58 is conventional and sits.. in.. terior parts are not shown. Its protruding pawls 59 coact with an indented rack 60 on theebase" of the platen structure. The escapement is op- The erated.. from .a.-cam .platei 6I. freely.- rotatable..

about the .axle 26. of the keylever, 25-and .connected by a wire link 62 hooked as at 631 to. plate 612'*I at-one end and.toi the mechanism in thelescapement box 58 at the'oth'er'. A' link.'64 pivoted at one end Vto axle.` 29- and Shaving Jazstu'd 65- at its other end' riding infan arcuate slot.

GIinV the cam plate causes the' latterfto be pivoted'f by. the. depression .strokei of'. the" key A'lever zsythereby'to pull link 62v forWardv-forfthe es# capement action. Y

The `spacer key B'Ilisformed asa-.unitary part:

of 'fa lsubstantially rectangular axle :rod: v68 journalled inside walls'Zfof the-bracketg|3ll One end.'v of axle rodV 68 extending beyond side-Wall` 20has van upwardly turned portion VISS-"which inf turn has a substantiallyl right angledextension 10.2 extending T.toward the front 2 of platform. I 5.1

The end of extensionl -isflooped;as at11| andl a. cupshapedf disc I2 is aixedlthe'reto vasx-by force-nt.

Affxed tosaid' axle rod 68:?-isla substantially U-shapedpitman 'I3 having substantially recv tangular holes ineach-arm I4 thereof-which'en4 compass said. axle rod58ti Ones=of the arms.-V

therewith having` `aA laterally extending lugr `Itr thereonlwhich is .pivotedin aslot :'II `inA cam .plate pressed.- and actuating the I. escapement l mecha'- nisml through link- 62 when spacer. keyf G'Ilis :de-f pressedi To enclose. the-operatingmechanismr supportedlbyfsidewallsl Ofbracket I3, avsubstantially..

cylindricallyrcurved sheetor: cover.` pieceV |8` is.;

provided .whichy is affixed l.tomthefbaserrof...thesbracket I3. Coverl 'I8v1-has"alslot-a'I9- atathe rear;k

thereof .through which link 1' 62; `an'dhlink` |54` exe` tend. i. Key lever.25. has .a panel 18D. unitary there.-

with' and extendingnupwardly; therefrom.. as.. shownuinFigs. 2 and.` When.y key 1eVer.25.-is. at.'rest.po,sition, panelv 80 will enclose. thetype wheel'and itsassociated.b mechanism. Panel 8U- has an inwardly turned lip whichA abutsv hitting cover 'I8"which is of lrelativelythln sheet metal, and possibly denting' said"cover-*andtjam` mingtne mechanism thereunder:

The platen structure, preferablyof'sheet metal;

. tongues |03 on the index strip 905* comprises a rectangular mounting plate 8| having a channel 82 at the bottom thereof. The edges of plate 8| are reversely turned as at 83 to form flanges 84 and 85 with walls 86 and 8'I unitary therewith and rising therefrom. The front Wall 85 of plate 8| has a plurality of parallel vertical slots or indentations 88 therein forming a rack 60.

Extending laterally inward from the upper edge of wall'..-81. is a sheet metal support strip 89.-` Afxed'to saidv support strip 89 along the free edge thereof and extending substantially laterally therefrom to the front wall 86 of plate 8'Iis asheet metal index strip 90 which is bent upwardly` at its free edge so as to form a front wal1"9| substantially flush with wall 85 of plate 8| :and extendingsupwardly therefrom. The face of wall 9| has indicia thereon simulating those of a standard typewriter.

Afxed to the ends of said rectangular plate 8I are sheet: metal endlplates. 92` desirably flanged'aslat S3 and'l'embracing `the extremities-wA of sheetrnetal index strip 90, and a cylindrically' curved sheet'metal plate Slwhich-simulates' a" platen-and'fwhich has its forwardedge 94' .po-f sitioned behind the'wall SI2' of tire-index.str-ipv A 99; P1ate294-has a groove 95 therein onf the face thereof immediatelyabove the edge of front." wall 9I-of the indexstripSD'handparallel there-f'A to. In"=said-groove` 9511s a strip 96"l desirably-'offi=\ yieldingrubb'er Yofr vsuitablehardness which takes-1 1 the impact-of the type;

To simulate the rotation of the/platen"t and* paper `feed, a rectangular shaftV 91`Y is f' provided. which vbears in-fearse98-extending laterally-1 in'fward from the/endsfof -theindexf strip llll'andir'iY`v` endplate 92': Shaft 91 extends'axially through the vplaten structure -an'dh'as- 'knobsSS Yat the -exl tremities thereof.

Shaft SlT-mountsa pair of-rubberrollers 99'ex-'-v posed through corresponding'slots-|90 infront. wall SI of the index# strip 9|','jandcoactsvwitlcorresponding, rubber rollers IDI near the ends?. of a longitudinal Lrod IGZ-:bearingin V'outstanding Tol retain?? rollersl and I 9 I4A in closef'contaot; af spring armi I 92 isprovided,anchored 'atoneend to'fthef-sup# port strip v39 as at 89', and the free end IIIIJ of-which passes;` through'a 4"slot "86" 'in front". wall'86.

To simulate' theratcheting action' inv` the" plateni movement; a' radially crimped metal washerfIM about rrectangular shaft 91; rides oni radiating. i teeth 'ItllV onthe'exterior'of endplates92 againstli`r`r the resistance of a strong leaf springIIlanchored at I IlS toV the* extension of""said end plate92 andv engaging'the 'crimpedwvashein Preferably theA platen isfa-lso provided" with -a paper bail IGT-of metal"rod'longitudinallyrofthe# platen with"v arms |f'extending'between 'tlleend's'vv of the/plateny and"the'-operating"knobs 98and: having a looped *portionA vat' the-ends` th'ereofvl throughwhich the'shaft'91 extends. The bail is movable about th'eshaft; in the r insertion -of'r` the paper-against the resistance of a coilfspring'i* I 99" anchored `atY one` end to the4 exterior of theplaten end plate 92 and at the other neartheY outer end4 cf'the bail arm:

The platen is slidablyD mounted in a Vch'armelled guide plate'i I IU which .is' auedtotlreVV platform'r; I5 near the'rearedgethereof: The edges of "the" guide plateare inwardlyturned" as at" III"and-` coact with flanges 81|i andV 35v ont the p1aten'mount=" ing plate 8| to slidablyJretain"the'latter-"on 'theyrridges H2 unitary therewith'and 'extending llon'- gitudinally thereof to serve as guide rails for.

without departing from the scope of thev claims,"

it' is-intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the laccompanying drawings' shall be interpreted as illustrative.

and not ina limiting sense.. v f

Having thus described my invention, .what I claim" as. new vand desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is: Y

1. In a typewriter mechanism, the combination of a base, a rectangular platen guide plate having inwardly turned edges and affixed to said base at the rear thereof, a rectangular mounting plate having reversely turned edges forming flanges at each side thereof which coact with the inwardly turned edges of said guide plate for sliding mount thereof on said Aguide plate, "a substantially cylindrically curved platen amx'ed to said mounting plate, a carriage pivoted on said base, a rotatable type wheel bearing in said carriage, an escapement mechanism affixed to said base and coacting with said mounting' plate intermittently to step the latter along said guide plate, and means for rocking said carriage to imprint the selected type against said platen.

2. In a typewriter mechanism, the combination of a base, a rectangular platen guide plate affixed to the base at the rear thereof and having inwardly turned edges and longitudinal guide ridges on the surface thereof, a rectangular mounting plate having a longitudinal channel on the bottom thereof and reversely turned edges forming flanges at each side thereof which coact with said inwardly turned edges of said guide plate for sliding mount thereof on said guide plate, a. substantially curved platen aixed to said mounting plate, a substantially U-shaped bracket affixed to said base, a carriage pivoted onsaid bracket, a rotatable type wheel bearing in said carriage, means for rocking said carriage on said bracket from rest to typing position, said means comprising a key lever pivoted to said bracket and having a panel unitary therewith and extending upwardly therefrom to conceal said type wheel when said carriage is in rest position, and a link connecting said key lever to said carriage for tilting the latter, escapement mechanism for said platen, means supported by said bracket for actuating said escapement mechansm, and a substantially cylindrically curved .f

cover piece affixed to said bracket and enclosing said actuating means.

3. The combination set forth in claim 2 in which the means to actuate said escapement mechanism comprises a rectangular bar journalled in said bracket and extending therefrom on one edge thereof, a spacer key unitary with said bar for actuating the latter, an axle journalled in said bracket, a cam plate idly mounted on said axle, said cam plate having a slot therein, a link interconnecting said cam plate and said escapement mechanism and a substantially U- shaped bracket affixed to said rectangular bar and having an arm extending therefrom, said arm having a portion extending into the slot in said cam plate to rotate the latter when said spacer key is depressed to actuate the escapement mechanism.

4. In a typewriter mechanism, the combination of a base, a rectangular guide plate affixed to said 'base 'atnthere'ar thereof having inwardly turned edges and'guide ridges on the'surfacef. thereof, 'a rectangular mounting plate havinga; longitudinal channel on the bottom:v thereof to; ride` on. said guide ridges, and reversely turned?, edges forming flanges on each side thereof with.

walls'. extending upwardly'therefrom and unitary.

therewith, oneof said Walls having a plurality ofA parallel vertical slots on the face.'v thereof, saidf4 flanges ,coacting with said inwardly turned edges of said Aguide plate for slidable movement of said mounting' plate therealong, a curved platen-affixed to said mounting plate, a carriage pivoted on said base, a rotatable type wheel bearing in said.car riage, and .an escapement mechanism aflixedftor said base and coacting with the slutsv in the wallf.

of said mounting'plate intermittently to latter along said guide plate.

step thef:

' 5'. In a typewriter mechanism, the combination.

of a base, a rectangular guide plate affixed to. said base at the rear thereof and havinginwardly.

turned edges and longitudinal ridges on the sure.t

face thereof, a rectangular mounting plate hav-v ing a longitudinal channel on the bottom .thereof to ride on said guide ridges, and reversely turned edges forming flanges at each side thereof with walls extendingup-wardly therefrom, one of 'said' Walls having a plurality of parallel vertical slots on the face thereof, said anges coacting with said inwardly turned edges of said guide plate to slidably mount said mounting plate on said guide plate, a substantially cylindrically curved platen affixed tosaid mounting plate and having a fixed yielding impact strip at the front thereof, a carriage pivoted on said base, a rotatable type wheel bearing in said carriage, an escapement mechanism affixed to said base and coacting with the slots in the wall of said mounting plate to intermittently step the latter along said guide plate, and means for rocking said carriage to imprint the selected type against the yielding strip on said platen.

6. As an article of manufacture, a platen structure for a toy typewriter, said platen structure comprising a rectangular mounting plate having a longitudinal channel on the bottom thereof and reversely turned edges forming flanges at each side thereof with walls extending upwardly therefrom, and a substantially cylindrically curved platen affixed to said mounting plate, said platen having a fixed yielding impact strip at the front thereof. y

7. In a typewriting mechanism, the combination of a base, a platen mounted on lsaid base, a bracket aiiixed to said base, a substantially U- shaped carriage pivoted on said bracket and having a downwardly turned skirt on the front edge thereof, a type wheel rotatably mounted on said carriage, and means for rocking said carriage on said bracket from rest to typing position to bring said type wheel in contact with said platen, said means comprising a key lever pivoted to said bracket and having a panel unitary therewith and extending upwardly therefrom, and a link connecting said key lever to said carriage for tilting the latter, said panel having an inwardly turned lip at the upper edge thereof which abuts against the downwardly turned skirt on said carriage to limit the movement of the latter as it pivots to rest position.

8. In a typewriting mechanism, the combination of a base, a platen mounted on said base, a bracket affixed to said base. a carriage pivoted on said bracket, a substantially upright axle bearing in said carriage and having affixed thereassegna 7 Orrin-,f coaxial relation-therewith,ea-'ratchetxwheeh a type fwheel: and f a., -`dial ;knob,r-andzA means for rocking: said carriage f on said bracket. from: rest: to? typingA position,- said means comprising t a.' A,key-

lever. ipivoted .to saidI ybracket land havingfarpanel.

unitary therewith and extending. :upilarvi'ly-there from to conceal said type-.wheel .andsaid ratchet' Wheel .when said carriage lisgin rest position, .andvv atlirllz conneeting saidkey lever to ,said vcarriage. forvtilting Y t.he. lat1:er,A said'A panelzxhavingzan vin-.f

which..ahuts against ;said. carriage to limit dille` movement: .thereof asi il:v` pivotsgfto restzposition.

- 9. .Ina` typewrting, mechanism, `the.v combina.- tion` of.. a. base ,1a. platen slidably mounted :on said base, aabracketaaffxed to said .base,. a. substan tially U-shaped'carriagexpivoted,on said .bracket` conceal saidtype Wheel andl said ratchetfwheel' when'sadfzcarriagel'iis..irrrest lpositiorczand alink: connectingrxl said zkeyc lever to `said carriage for;

tilting the latter, said panel havinggan inwardly turned lin-.airthe upper edge thereof.r which: abuts against therdownwardlyturnedskirt onsaid:car-. riage; to; limitz-thefmorement of the i 'lattexza-s; it

pivotstorest postionian escapement mechanism for; said :platenrmeans supporteclrby said bracket. foraactuatingfsaid; escapement mechanism, v, andl afsubstantia'lly .-cylndrcally curved vcover piece: axed to said bracket .and enclosing said actuatf,

ing: means;

SAMUEL I.. BERGER'.

REFERENCES .CITED `The l followi-ng'referencesare of record in thev leof" .thisV patent:

UNITED'v vSTATES 'PATENTS Number Name Date 1,119,777 Carroll Dec. 1, 1914' 2,096,085l Boisselier Oct. 19, ,1937v 2198365v Berger Apr. 23,v 1946 vFOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date h 278,277 GreatBritain of 1927 

